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15 best point guards in the NBA for 2013-14 season

Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry are part of an exciting crop of young point guards that have made the position the deepest in the NBA. USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph ranks the top 15. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

14. Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers. The two-time MVP spent most of last season hurt and is well past his prime at age 39, but he should be able to guide the Lakers while Kobe Bryant sits. Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports

13. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies. The lefty is one of the two or three best defensive point guards and showed offensive chops during a run to the Western Conference finals. Spruce Derden, USA TODAY Sports

12. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers. Last season's rookie of the year hopes not to fade during the stretch this season now that he has a legitimate backup, Mo Williams. Jaime Valdez, USA TODAY Sports

11. Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans. The 6-3 UCLA product reached the All-Star Game last season as a 22-year-old and should improve with better teammates after being traded by the Philadelphia 76ers. Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

10. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets. The fastest player in the NBA has also been one of the most consistent, playing efficient basketball while improving in various areas of the game each of his four seasons. Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports

9. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics. After tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in February, the mercurial star likely will miss a chunk of the season. But his court vision and determination are unquestionable. Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

8. John Wall, Washington Wizards. The Wizards were 24-25 with the 2010 No. 1 draft pick in the lineup, 5-28 without him. That shows the explosive one-man fast break's value as well as anything. Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports

7. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder. Though his playoffs were cut short by a torn meniscus, the five-year veteran has emerged as a superstar when healthy. Still, he will miss the first four to six weeks of the regular season, at least, so he slips from his superstar status just for this year. Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

6. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers. Perhaps the best ballhandler in the NBA, the 2011-12 rookie of the year exploded as a sophomore and could rise up this list very quickly if he can avoid injury finally. Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports

5. Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets. Burdened by ankle problems for most of last season, the former Utah Jazz star played his best basketball since being traded to the Nets toward the end of the year and should resume his All-Star play after an offseason of rest. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. The best shooter in the NBA gained name recognition during the playoffs but was fantastic throughout his fourth season and has many comparing him to two-time MVP Steve Nash. Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports

3. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls. If he weren't coming off an entire missed season, the 2010-11 NBA MVP might very well rank first or second on this list. But Rose has a lot to prove as he comes back from knee surgery. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports

2. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs. After leading the Spurs to the NBA Finals and France to its first European championship, the crafty veteran has hit the peak of a Hall of Fame-bound career. Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

1. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers. The 6-0 playmaking wunderkind has been the best point guard in the NBA for at least six years and shows no signs of slowing. His defense is widely underrated, as well. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports